Five NFL teams that will get instant impact from rookies

The annual exercise of the post-draft grade is one of the most specious in the NFL media coverage enterprise. It’s based entirely on projection – which, granted, is what scouts do as well, though they’ve poured far more resources into their analysis (and still are wrong plenty).

Want my post-draft grades? Check back in May 2017. For now, here are five teams that philosophically, on paper, before anyone has strapped on a helmet at rookie camp, made moves I think will pay the most immediate dividends in 2014.

1. Cleveland Browns

Amidst years of chaos, the Browns have built a roster with an excellent young core. Now toss in another defensive playmaker (Oklahoma State cornerback Justin Gilbert at No. 8) and a potentially transformative, if unconventional quarterback (Texas A&M’s Johnny Manziel at No. 22) and the Browns not only figure to be entertaining – they could be relevant in the AFC playoff picture for the first time in seven years.

2. Green Bay Packers

Drafting Alabama safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix (No. 21) addressed the most glaring need on a team that made the playoffs despite quarterback Aaron Rodgers’ protracted absence (and almost knocked off the San Francisco 49ers). Highly productive Fresno State receiver Davante Adams (second round, No. 53) has good separation skill for a player his size, and Rodgers spreads the ball around.

3. Houston Texans

They put the freakish No. 1 pick, South Carolina’s Jadeveon Clowney, in the same front seven as all-pro J.J. Watt, creating a potential matchup nightmare for years to come. Getting Notre Dame nose tackle Louis Nix in the third round (No. 83) was a bonus as they amass heavier bodies to fit Romeo Crennel’s defense.

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Ex-Bears coach Lovie Smith is building his own skyscraper receiver group for ex-Bears quarterback Josh McCown in Tampa, adding a pair of 6-foot-5ers – Texas A&M receiver Mike Evans (No. 7) and Washington tight end Austin Seferian Jenkins (second, No. 38) – to go with veteran Vincent Jackson. The Bucs spent all six of their draft picks on offense, including a sixth-rounder on speedy Wyoming receiver Robert Herron (No. 185).

5. St. Louis Rams

Auburn tackle Greg Robinson (No. 2) was one of the draft’s elite prospects. Pittsburgh defensive tackle Aaron Donald (No. 13) adds another disruptive force to one of the NFL’s better lines. They spent three picks on much-needed secondary help, including Florida State cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (second, No. 41). And no rookie class will get more attention, thanks to the presence of Michael Sam (No. 249), whose relentless motor gives him a shot to defy the odds as a seventh-round pick.